Gordon Firemark is an attorney whose practice is devoted to the representation of artists, writers, producers and directors in the fields of theater, film, television, and music.
His practice also covers intellectual property, cyberspace, new media and business/corporate matters for clients in the entertainment industry.
This is the first
live, call-in podcast to clear the air on legal
issues for filmmakers and videographers who are
looking for answers to questions related to starting
a production business, copyright issues, contracts,
intellectual property and distribution.
Questions
answered:
Dave asks: I run a public access channel for a
cable company in Connecticut. One of our producers
recently learned that someone copied her program off
the air, edited it and posted excerpts from her
program on YouTube and other online video web sites.
As the producer of the program, it is our
understanding that she possesses and controls the
copyright of the program. She indicates that the
program is copyrighted in the end credits of each
episode.
She does not approve of or want her videos to be
edited or posted on web sites such as YouTube.
Does she have any recourse in this matter? If so,
what can she do? She would like to have the 3rd party
remove her videos from the websites.
Nick asks: I am from MN and I currently work for
the county directing and editing educational videos. I
would like to start my own production company and I
would like to use the videos I created for the county
as examples of my work. Do you see any legal
ramifications of using snippets of these videos on my
website and promotional DVD?
Gary asks: What are the main deal points in an
agency agreement?
Stephanie asks: I am a teacher in a public school
and have a few questions:
Can I videotape off the TV and bring relevant video
into school for classroom use?
I have rented a pre-recorded video program from a home
video outlet. Can I use this in my classroom?
What rights do we have as teachers to use video in the
classroom?
Joshua asks: I am currently an undergraduate
film/business major hoping to continue my education in
entertainment law. Which law schools are strong in
entertainment law? Little attention is paid to this
type of program and hope you can provide some insight
Sandra asks: A personal friend and I started a
small production company over three years ago. The
other partner, for vengeful reasons, does not want to
be in the partnership anymore. He also wants to take
videos that he created and sell them under his company
name. He says I have to give up the rights. Can he
actually do this & what are my rights?
Morne asks: I have a production company in Canada.
We have just recently started development on a
narrative film based on a book by an American living
in Florida. The author is working with us on the
project with American investors who are interested.
What would be the best way to structure the picture
i.e. Sole purpose company, limited partnership,
shares, etc. so our Canadian company has greatest
creative control?
Gordon Firemark is an attorney whose practice is devoted to the representation of artists, writers, producers and directors in the fields of theater, film, television, and music.
Dave asks: I run a public access channel for a
cable company in Connecticut. One of our producers
recently learned that someone copied her program off
the air, edited it and posted excerpts from her
program on YouTube and other online video web sites.
As the producer of the program, it is our
understanding that she possesses and controls the
copyright of the program. She indicates that the
program is copyrighted in the end credits of each
episode.
She does not approve of or want her videos to be
edited or posted on web sites such as YouTube.
Does she have any recourse in this matter? If so,
what can she do? She would like to have the 3rd party
remove her videos from the websites.
